Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 6

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 886

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 6

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The First National Bank does not alone repre- sent the investment of Mr. Quirk in the business enterprises of Ypsilanti. In connection with Asa Dow, I. N. Conklin. Cornelius Cornwell and R. W. Hemphill, he organized in 1865 the Ypsilanti Woolen Manufacturing Company, which firm was later succeeded by the Hay & Todd Company and more recently by the Ypsilanti Underwear Company. This has become one of the great pro- ductive industries of the city, and has made Ypsi- lanti famed throughout the country. On the 3d of April. 1867. in connection with others, Mr. Quirk assisted in organizing the Peninsular Pa- per Company, and has always been one of its stockholders. July 7, 1887. he was chosen presi- dent. and has remained at its head ever since. It is well known that these various institutions have been a most important factor in the com- mercial prosperity, growth and development of the city. These alone, however, do not represent the extent of the activity and business efforts of Quirk, who in 1868. in connection with others. built a packing house at the Union Stock Yards

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

in Chicago. In 1870-71 he was associated with James F. Joy and others in the building of the Hillsdale Railroad, sixty-one miles from Ypsi- lanti to Hillsdale. In 1871-72 with the same par- ties he built the Eel River Railroad, a distance of ninety-four miles. In 1874 he went to Chicago and joined the packing firm known as the B. F. Murphy Packing Company, with which he con- tinned for about two years, when a consolidation of several packing houses was effected and Mr. Quirk became general manager of the combine at the yards. He retained his connection there- with until in the year 1880, when he went to East St. Louis, Illinois, where he became president and general manager of the East St. Louis Pack- ing & Provision Company, which was continued for about five years, when the business was closed out.

`On the 5th of September. 1843, Mr. Quirk was married to Miss Nancy Scott, and on the roth of April. 1850. their daughter Nancy was born. On the ist of May, of the same year. the mother died, and on the 16th of November. 1852, Mr. Quirk married Priscilla Frain. Their children are: Lizzie, born in Sterling, Illinois, August 31. 1855 : Jennie, born in Chicago. December 3. 1859 : and D. L. Quirk. Jr .. born in Ypsilanti. February 20, 1871.

Mr. Quirk has now reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and his has been a notable career for he has worked his way upward from an obscure position to one of eminence in the community where he has so long resided. while his name has likewise become known throughout the country in connection with extensive business operations. Ile belongs to the true type of the Anglo-Saxon race, and of those men who buik cities and lay foundation of the commonwealth. Ilis integrity has ever been above question, his honor irreproachable, and these combined with a clear, sound judgment have made the people rely upon him and follow his leadership. In seeking the causes which have contributed to his success, we find them not so much in their rarety as in their harmonious union, and they may be briefly summed up by saying, he has the manners of a gentleman and the habits of a man of business- a combination of qualities that are bound to pro-

duce the higher results. It is no very rare thing for a boy in our country to become a prosperous man and occupy a commanding position in the business world. but many who have fought their way from poverty to wealth, from obscurity to prominence, retain some marks and scars of the conflict. They are apt to be narrow and grasp- ing, even if not sordid and unscrupulous. Mr. Quirk, however, is an instance of a man who has achieved success without paying the price at which it is so often bought, for his prosperity has not removed him farther from his fellowmen but has brought him into nearer and more intimate relations to them. The more means he has had. the more he has done for those around him, and numbered among Ypsilanti's most prominent citi- zens is this banker.

JOHN HEINZMANN.

John Heinzmann, a reliable and representative business man of Ann Arbor, whose name is an honored ore on commercial paper. was born in Colombiana, Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1847. and is of German lineage. His parents, Jacob and Christine ( Duttenhoffer) Heinzmann, came from the fatherland to America in 1846, and after a residence of some years in Ohio removed to Michigan, in 1851, settling in Ann Arbor. Unto them were born eleven children, but only five are now living, namely : John : Raver, a resident of Ann Arbor : Christopher, who is located at Bay City, Michigan : Mrs. Elizabeth Brinner, of Ann Arbor : and Albert. who follows farming in Wy- oming.

Becoming a resident of this city when but five years of age. John Heinzmann pursued his edu- cation in the public schools here, and after put- ting aside his text-books, engaged in the operation of a tannery and the conduct of a livery business in 1868. He thus figured in commercial and in- dustrial circles for a number of years, but in 1888 turned his attention to the coal and wood business. in which he is engaged both as a wholesale and retail dealer, with offices and yards on West Washington street. He is also engaged in the

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

wholesale flour, hide and seed business. A liberal patronage has been accorded him in recognition of business methods, which neither seek nor re- quire disguise, and the volume of his trade makes his investment a very profitable one.

In 1877 occurred the marriage of John Heinz- mann and Miss M. Barbara Weimer. by whom he had one son. John G., who is now engaged in business with his father. The wife and mother died in 1881. and Mr. Heinzmann afterward mar- ried Helen Weimer, by whom he has a daughter. Helen Clara, now a student in the public schools of Ann Arbor. While undoubtedly he is not without that honorable ambition which is so pow- erful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, Mr. Heinzmann regards the pur- suits of private life as being in themselves abund- antly worthy of his best efforts, and in his busi- ness career his careful study of conditions. his pursuit of a definite plan of action and his strong purpose have been salient features in his success. He has nevertheless figured to some extent in political circles, and as the candidate of the re- publican party was elected to the city council as alderman ( 1882-1886), during which time he gave tangible proof of his interest in the gencra' welfare by his co-operation in many measures for public good.

WALTER S. BILBIE.

Among the enterprising and prosperous farm- ers of Washtenaw county is numbered Walter S. Bilbie, who resides in Ann Arbor township and was there born in 1859. He is descended from an old English family that was founded in England by ancestors who went to that country froni Normandy with William the Conqueror. Many representatives of the name have been English squires and the ancestral home was known as Normanton Hall. The ancestry can be traced back in direct line to William Bilbie, who was sheriff of Nottingham in the early part of the eighteenth century. He was the father of Rich- ard Bilbie, a gentleman farmer, who died in 1809. His birth had occurred at Normanton Hall in

1736 and he was the last of the family to hold the ancestral estate, which was then lost in chancery. His son. John Bilbie, was the grandfather of our subject. Walter S. Bilbie is a son of Richard Bil- bie, whose birth occurred in Nottingham, Eng- land, in 1829 and who, after arriving at years of maturity, was married in that country to Miss Mary A. Henry, who was likewise born in Eng- land but was of Scotch descent. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a lace manufac- turer and the father worked at that business until 1849. when thinking that he might have better opportunities in the new world he crossed the Atlantic to America. His father had previously visited this country and had purchased eighty acres of land in Ann Arbor township, Washtenaw county, after which he returned to England. It was to this farm that Richard Bilbie made his way on coming to the United States and there he lived for eight years. after which he returned to Eng- land. It was during his visit to his na- tive country that he was married in 1858 and with his bride he returned to the new world. He then purchased ninety acres of land on section 9. Ann Arbor township, where he has since made his home and is now living at a ripe old age. He carried on general farming for many years and also had a fine orchard. In 1881 he added to his original purchase a tract of forty acres, so that his farm now comprises one hundred and thirty acres of land. This he has brought to a high state of cultivation and has become recognized as one of the prosperous and reliable farmers of the county. who owes his success to his own labors, while his life record proves the opportunities that are af- forded in America to young men of determination and energy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bilbie were born two sons : Walter S. and Edward N. The latter, completing his education in Berlin under Profes- sor Saraut and Professor Wirth, is now a pro- fessor of music in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, being a teacher of the violin.

Walter S. Bilbie acquired his early education in the district schools and afterward continued his studies in the public schools of Ann Arbor. He remained upon the home farm until eighteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own ac- count, and later he spent the years 1887 and 1888

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

in England. In 1884 he was married to Miss Kate A. Welling, a daughter of George H. Well- ing, of Albany, New York. He then took up his abode on the farm and has devoted his life to ag- ricultural pursuits, having had charge of the old homestead for twenty years. He carries on gen- eral farming and is also engaged in the dairy busi- ness, keeping eighteen cows and selling the milk to the wholesale trade. He has led a life of in- dustry and activity and by careful management and keen discernment has made the farm a good source of profit, carrying on his work in har- mony with the most advanced and modern ideas of agricultural development.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bilbie have been born three children but one died in infancy. The others are Richard and Laura B. In his political affiliation Mr. Bilbie is a democrat and on that ticket was elected supervisor in 1902 and has since been re- elected, so that he is serving for the third term. In 1891 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office and in 1891-2 he served as road commis- sioner, while on the school board, he was modera- tor for several terms. In matters of citizenship he is public spirited and progressive, giving his allegiance to every movement and measure which he believes will benefit the community.

ROSS GRANGER.

Ross Granger, who for the second term is filling the office of city clerk, was born in Ann Arbor in 1859. His father, Bradly F. Granger, was a native of New York and in early life came to Hillsdale, Michigan, where he read law, being la- ter admitted to practice at the state bar. He set- tled in Ann Arbor prior to 1858 and here prac- ticed his profession for a number of years, being recognized as one of the prominent lawyers of this city in the middle portion of the nineteenth century. He was elected and served for several terms as probate judge of Washtenaw county and in 1862 he was elected to represent his district in congress, taking an active interest in the questions which came up for settlement in the council cham- bers of the nation. Returning to Ann Arbor, he

resumed the private practice of law, in which he continued up to the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1882, when he was fifty-seven years of age. He was a strong and forceful advocate, a safe counselor and a learned legist, thoroughly in- formed on the principles of jurisprudence in many departments. He married Miss Susan A. Dela- mater, who was born in Syracuse, New York, and is still living in California. In their family were five children, of whom two are living, Ross and Sheldon, the latter a resident of Ypsilanti, Michi gan.

Ross Granger, as a student in Ann Arbor, pur- sued his education in the public and high schools until he had completed a full course. Subse- quently he engaged in the carriage finishing busi- ness as a workman in the employ of Walker Brothers, but in 1882 he began teaching dancing and afterward gave his entire attention to that art. He established his school in the old Hangstorfer Hall on Main street, and later purchased Profes- sor Sheehan's dancing school on State street. In 1891 he built his first residence and school on Maynard street, Granger's Academy, where he has continued successfully since. He has con- ducted a large number of dancing classes, receiv- ing his patronage from the best citizens of Ann Arbor, and through the conduct of his business interests he has contributed in large measure to the social pleasure of the youth.

In politics Mr. Granger is a stalwart democrat, interested in the work of the party and in 1903 he was elected city clerk, in which position he is now serving for the second term. He has also been identified with military affairs, becoming a member of the Porter Zouaves in 1873. For a time he served as a drummer in Company B, First Infantry State Militia, and later as private, cor- poral, sergeant, lieutenant and captain of Com- pany A, First Infantry Michigan National Guards. He was captain of Company A, Thirty- first Michigan Volunteers in the Spanish-Ameri- can war and during three months service in Cuba was in command of the United States forces in and around Placetas, returning to the United States in May, 1899. He was elected major of the First Infantry on the 23d of February, 1900, and lieutenant colonel of the same regiment Jan-

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

ary 26, 1905, which position he is now filling. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic or- der and is now captain general of Ann Arbor Commandery, K. T. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Knights of Pythias, becoming a charter member of the latter organization in Ann Arbor. He is a man of fine personal appearance and military bearing. inter- ested in the progress of the state in this direction and is popular in military organizations.

In 1882 Mr. Granger was married in Ann Ar- bor to Miss Matilda Hangstorfer, who was born in this city and is a daughter of Jacob Hangstor- fer, one of the early settlers of Washtenaw county. A daughter and two sons have been born of this union : Luella M .. the wife of Fred Nerdlinger. of Philadelphia, and the mother of one son, Fred G. N., whose birth occurred in that city ; and Bradly F. and Edward Ross, who are attending the Ann Arbor schools.

FRANK H. KOEBBE.

Frank H. Koebbe. supervisor of Freedom town- ship and an enterprising agriculturist, was born May 10, 1858. in the township which is still his home. His father, John H. Koebbe, was a native of Prussia and in 1846 came to the United States. making his way at once to Washtenaw county. He worked by the month in Freedom township for a year and then purchased eighty acres of land on section 27. His father, John Koebbe, had died in Germany and the mother, Mrs. Fannie Koebbe. and his two brothers. J. Gearhart and John Bern- hart, and two sisters. Ricka and Katherine, came with him to this country and lived with him at the time of the purchase of the farm. His remaining days were devoted to the cultivation and improve- ment of the property and in the course of years he transformed his land into a very productive tract, carrying on his work along modern lines and being widely recognized as a prosperous and enterprising farmer. He married Miss Annie Mary Davidter, who was born in Prussia and came to the United States with her parents in

1846, the Davidter family being established in Bridgewater township. Both of her parents are now deceased. In their family were three chil- dren : Justus Davidter, who died in Sharon township : Henry ; and Annie Mary, who became Mrs. Koebbe. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John H. Koebbe were born seven children : John F., now a resident of Saline township : Sarah, who died at the age of five years; William, a carpenter of Manchester ; Frank H .; Sophia, deceased; Sarah Katarina, living in Freedom township; and Cal- vin Alfred, who resides upon the old homestead farm. The parents were both members of the Evangelical Association and were earnest Chris- tian people, taking an active and helpful part in the church work. Mr. Koebbe served as class leader and trustee. His political support was given to the democracy and he served as school inspector and highway commissioner. Interested in all matters of public improvement, he gave active and helpful co-operation to various plans for the public good and throughout the com- munity he was respected by neighbors and friends. making for himself a creditable name in business and social circles. He died August 14, 1879, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, while his wife passed away November 14. 1891, at the age of six- ty-seven years.

Frank H. Koebbe was reared upon the home farm and attended the district schools. The occu- pation to which he gave his attention in youth he has made his life work. He resides on section 27. Freedom township, where he owns eigthy acres of rich and fertile land that annually returns to him good crops by reason of the care and culti- vation which he bestows upon the fields. He is practical in his methods, systematic in all of his business affairs and by reason of his unfailing in- dustry has met with very desirable success.

Mr. Koebbe was married in 1893 to Miss Mary Huehl, who was born in Freedom town- ship in 1860 and was a daughter of John Gear- hart and Adeline ( Schlicht) Huehl. The parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States about 1842, settling in Freedom township. They had six children: Henry, who is living in Freedom township : Benjamin, who is connected with the stove factory in Chelsea ; John, at home;

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Lydia, the wife of Henry Voegeding, of Freedom township : Mrs. Koebbe ; and Clara, the wife of Calvin Koebbe, a brother of our subject, and a resident farmer of Freedom township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Koebbe hold membership in the Evangelical Association and take an active part in the church work. He contributes gener- ously to the support of the church, is acting as one of its officers and is superintendent of its Sun- day-school. In politics he is a democrat and for thirteen years served as justice of the peace, dur- ing which time his decisions were so fair and im- partial that he won high encomiums from people of all parties. In 1905 he was elected supervisor of Freedom township and is now serving on the finance and other important committees. He has been a member of the county democratic central committee and at various times has been chairman of the township committee. He is popular in Washtenaw county, being known as a good neigh- bor and loyal citizen, manifesting at the same time those traits of character which win warm personal regard.

CALVIN T. CONKLIN.

Calvin T. Conklin, president of the Pioneer So- ciety of Washtenaw county and a resident of Chelsea, is the owner of valuable farming prop- erty near the village, but has retired from the active management and is enjoying a well earned rest in his pleasant and attractive home. His name is inseparably interwoven with the history of this community, not only by reason of the fact that he was for many years a leading agricul - turist, but also because he was the first white child born in Sylvan township, his natal year being 1831. His parents were Edmund E. and Sophro- nia ( Hickox) Conklin. The father was a native of Orange county, New York, and coming west- ward to Michigan in 1831, before the admission of the state into the Union, he secured a govern- ment claim in Sylvan township, Washtenaw county, on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. His nearest neighbor to the west was seven miles distant and the work of developing and progress seemed scarcely be-

gun. The claim comprised one hundred and sixty acres of land and Mr. Conklin began clearing the tract. As acre after acre was placed under the plow, he transformed the once barren tract into productive fields, and thereon he made his home until his death, August 28, 1867. His wife, who was descended from an old Connecticut family, . died January 31. 1838, during the early youth of her son Calvin. The father afterward married again and he had five children, of whom Calvin and Susan were born of the first marriage. The half-sisters and half-brother of our subject were Olive, Frances and Smith B.

Calvin T. Conklin pursued his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses, such as are com- mon in all pioneer communities, and although his educational privileges were somewhat limited bis training at farm labor was not meager. He con- tinued to assist in the operation of the home farm until twenty years of age, when he went to his grandfather's place, adjoining his father's farm on the west, and here he has since had farming in- terests. He first purchased forty acres of land from his grandfather, to which he has added from time to time as his financial resources have in- creased until he is now the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of rich and valuable land on sec- tions 29 and 30, Sylvan township. He carried on general farming and fed all of his grain to his stock. At one time he had a fine large orchard upon his place and he added many modern im- provements to the property. The farm is now be- ing operated on shares by his grandson, while Mr. Conklin practically lives a retired life, in the en- joyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

On the 9th of March, 1856, Mr. Conklin was married to Miss Nancy E. Preston, a native of Waterloo. Jackson county, Michigan, and to them were born two children : Charles, who is now liv- ing near Grand Rapids, Michigan ; and Alice J., who became the wife of Finley Whitaker and died in 1807, leaving a son, Burleigh C., who married Lonise Nutton, of Sylvan township, and is living on his grandfather's farm. For his second wife Mr. Conklin married Miss Sarah L. Runciman a daughter of James Runciman, of Sylvan town- ship, their wedding being celebrated in August,

Calvin . T . Couklon .

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

1893. Although they were both reared in the town of Chelsea it happened that they never be- came acquainted until 1891.

In politics Mr. Conklin is a stanch republican but has never been an office seeker. In 1899 he took up his abode in Chelsea, where he has a fine home. He is the president of the Pioneer Society of Washtenaw county, to which position he was elected in June, 1905, at Ypsilanti, and the next meeting will be held in Chelsea. Mr. Conklin has had a prosperous business career and in addition to his farming interests in this county he has a timber interest in the state of Washington and also an orange grove in Florida. He is to-day one of the oldest native sons of the county and few men are more familiar with the history of progress and development here, for he has been a witness of events here for seventy-four years.

JAMES CLEMENTS.

Among the builders and promoters of Ann Ar- bor who contributed to the business development of the city was numbered James Clements, a pio- neer banker, who became one of the most promi- nent and well-to-do residents of Washtenaw county. He took up his abode in Ann Arbor over fifty years ago, or about 1855, being then a young man of less than twenty-four years. He was a native of England, born November 28, 1831. His parents always resided in that country, where they passed away many years ago.

James Clements was left an orphan at an early age and when a youth of only fourteen years he came to America, landing at New York city. During his early manhood he followed various business pursuits that would yield him an honor- able living and being of an economical and ambi- tious nature he saved his earnings whereby he was enabled to purchase an interest in a gas plant at Flushing, Long Island. For several years he was connected with that industry and was also interested in gas plants in other cities in the east, continuing the management of the same until he came to Ann Arbor. He sought a field of labor here in a similar direction and erected the first

gas works of this city, his interest in the business continuing throughout his remaining days. In 1870 he went to Bay City, Michigan, where he became identified with manufacturing interests, building a large plant for that purpose. It was devoted to the manufacture of all kinds of rail- road machinery and this represented Mr. Clem- ents' largest and most important investment. He continued to make Ann Arbor his home but con- tinued to go to Bay City each Monday morning. remaining there throughout the business days of the week, returning in order to spend Sunday with his family. His business is still carried on by his children, his son having charge of the same. It is one of the largest plants of the kind in the state and employs many men, while its product is sold to railroad companies throughout the coun- try. With the business Mr. Clements was con- nected until his death and it proved a profitable source of income, returning him a gratifying financial reward. A gentleman of resourceful business ability, however, he did not confine his attention to one line and his name figures con- spicuously in connection with important interests of Ann Arbor. He was the founder of the First National Bank here, one of its directors and a heavy stockholder. His judgment in business matters was very reliable and his worth was ac- knowledged by all who had regard for successful accomplishment along honorable lines.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 6

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 886

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 886